HHN AT 25: HHN LEGACY'S 25 FAVORITE HOUSES OF THE LAST 15 YEARS. PART 1: 25-11

Greetings internet dwellers!

As we march on towards HHN XXV, it's time to reveal what houses we loved the most in our 15 years at the event. For the 25th anniversary, we decided to make this our top 25. And it was HARD.

In our 15 years of attending the event, we have gone through MANY houses, and some, multiple times. There comes a point when your are trying to take something like this to task, that things, well, start blurring together. 

Was that in the original house? Or the sequel? Was that even in this house? Or was it another one? Events even start to run together, as you ponder things like this. And sometimes, you even have to question your own choices.

It was a painstakingly slow process. Eliminating things, adding things, taking one away, re-adding the one you took away... It was tough. However, in the end, it was done. Like any kind of list, these are our favorites. Your list will probably look different. In fact, I know they will.

The houses that made it onto the list, all made it for different reasons. Some were sentimental, some were technical, but all were because they were loved- one way or another. 

So without further stalling, let us begin...

---

25. SILVER SCREAMS- HHN XIX

• Location: The Parade Building

I've said it in the past; utilizing horror films at HHN, should be a natural thing. Universal Studios was put on the map because of its horror history. Of course before HHN XIX, we had The Director. The Usher, despite some of his rushed concepts, was a solid Icon. The last "good" one in my opinion. Like The Director, he was a great conduit to bring in a movie element for HHN XIX. He was in a sense a bit more relate-able, as he was just a normal guy who loved movies. He died tragically of course, but using the movie theater setting for Silver Screams was great. The atmosphere of the abandoned theater come to life by The Usher, was nice. The room transitions were simple, yet effective. Fantastic scenes in here as well. The Stranger's room was awesomely done, and we got Shaun of the Dead, and Army of Darkness!. Silver Screams was scary, atmospheric, simple, and fun.

---

---

24. THE WOLFMAN- HHN XIX

• Location: Sound Stage 22

I know what you're saying. Not Dracula: Legacy in Blood? That's right. Granted, I will admit, this is more of personal preference. Legacy in Blood was great, but I love The Wolf Man more as a character. I LOVE when Universal uses the Classic Monsters at the event. When they decided to add their own "twists" on the characters for HHN XIX, I got a little worried. Of course, The Wolfman, was based on the Universal remake, which had a slew of production problems. Originally, the film was going to be released around the time of the event, but got delayed (not the first time either). The atmosphere in Wolfman, is what gets me. It was dark, Gothic, and creepy. The finale may have left a little to be desired, but the rest of the house, I ate up. Unlike say, Dracula Untold, The Wolfman I feel, could have stood on its own as a house. Sure, it was based on the film, but it worked as a separate entity. The sets in here were really well done too, and the make-up was splendid. Out of the three "reboots" at HHN XIX, I remember this one the most. 

---

---

23. UNIVERSAL'S HOUSE OF HORRORS- HHN XXII

• Location: The Parade Building

If you follow HHN closely, you know the story behind this house. It was rushed, and put together at the last minute. House of Horrors had no fancy sets. It wasn't big and bombastic. It was simple, minimal, and a testament to what could happen when things just click. First time through this house, it was evident that things were not completed. Paint was still not applied to certain things, lighting wasn't fully ready, and the cast wasn't yet accustomed to their roles. Once things got rolling, and everything was completed, House of Horrors became a genuine favorite. The use of the classic monsters in here, just melded so well with the minimal style of the house. House of Horrors was just so much fun, and I am surprised at how much I like it, even to this day. I think most HHN fans get caught up in the grand scale of some of the houses at Halloween Horror Nights. House of Horrors, was just a simple, old school haunted house, and done very effectively. 

---

---

22. DOLLHOUSE OF THE DAMNED- HHN XXIV

• Location: Sprung Tent 1
  

Obviously, a new addition in the pantheon of HHN houses. Out of all the originals during HHN XXIV, Dollhouse is the one that stood out. Giggles & Gore Inc. was great fun. However, Dollhouse of the Damned, took the creep factor up to levels of insanity. Again, simple in its design, the house mainly grabbed you with its sheer weirdness. Dolls can sometimes be creepy anyway, and the house took full advantage of that. I also really like the facade for Dollhouse. It is one of my favorites from any Sprung Tent house. Dollhouse of the Damned was weird, unsettling, and creepy. Speaking of weird, Teddy Ruxpin pinned to a wall, wearing a black dress, pretty much sums up this house. 

---

---

21. PSYCHOSCAREAPY: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS- HHN XVII

• Location: Sound Stage 23
  

I love the darkly comic tone in this house. My favorite television show of all time, is The X-Files. I love the dark humor that is often infused in the show. Home for the Holidays, did that really well. It was scary, creepy, and funny. The sets in here were fantastic too. It really felt like you were walking through a neighborhood. Of course, the inmates of Shadybroook Asylum, have escaped and run amok during the holiday festivities. The snowblower scene was awesome. And poor Santa...

---

---

20. FRIDAY THE 13TH: CAMP BLOOD- HHN XVII

• Location: Jaws Queue

I unabashedly loved this house. Most people seem to dismiss it, in favor of A Nightmare on Elm Street: Dreamwalkers, or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Flesh Wounds. Out of the big three in 2007, this is the one I loved the most. Camp Blood was a whole lot of fun, and captured the carnage-spirit of the Friday the 13th films. Great kills represented from the series, including the bed from Freddy Vs. Jason. I also really love the finale here. One of the more fun, memorable exits to a house. Sure, did the random popping up of Jason in places seem a bit overused? Maybe, but isn't that the point? The slasher's seem to always be able to catch up to you, even while just briskly walking. The sets were nicely done as well. Camp Blood was a whole lot of fun. 

---

---

19. PENN & TELLER NEW'KD LAS VEGAS- HHN XXII

• Location: Sprung Tent 2

Another house that I unabashedly love. So much fun to be had with New'kd Las Vegas. It was funny, scary, colorful, and effective. The queue video was also quite funny. This one, was a surprise for me. I didn't really know what to expect going in. HHN XXII, was an odd year I think for most people. It was the beginning of this real obsession with IP's, and also the first year for The Walking Dead. This house kind of stood out, and perhaps, that was the point. It was weird and quirky. The 3D was good in here as well. They took a page from The In-Between's playbook the year before, in its use. The addition of some really nifty guest interaction, also took the house up to the next level as well. The finale room is one of the only scares at HHN, that had me running for the exit.

---

---

18. THE IN-BETWEEN- HHN XXI

• Location: Sprung Tent 1

Speaking of 3D. I think most people these days, dismiss the 3D houses. And maybe rightfully so. They mostly just don't work. However, The In-Between, just got it right. The 3D gimmick was used and balanced nicely. The house was also serious. Most of the 3D houses, are used in more "fun" type of houses. The story here is really quite dark, and the 3D was used to that advantage. The effect offered a view of a different kind, as it was meant to make you feel as if you really did step into another world. Simple sets, yet effective, with the 3D making it feel more grand. I love the finale here as well. It left you on a cliffhanger, much like a film.

---

---

17. WINTER'S NIGHT: THE HAUNTING OF HAWTHORN CEMETERY- HHN XXI

• Location: Sound Stage 22
  

Winter's Night, was all about atmosphere. Walking the silent cemetery in the dead of winter, in the cold, with snow falling above you. Winter's Night was yet another simple house, yet it felt bigger than it actually was. The vibe was mysterious, as you really had no direct story happening as you traversed the cemetery. The only info you knew, was in the description of the house. Everything else was left mysterious. Which, I really liked. Some great sight-gags going on in here as well. I still remember that model cemetery, and the zombie of course. Just a really effective house of tone, and atmosphere.

---

---

16. CATACOMBS: BLACK DEATH RISING- HHN XX

• Location: Sprung Tent 1
  

I think a lot of HHN fans, dismiss the event from 2010. They may have been disappointed with what was presented. For the most part, the vast majority of houses that year, were pretty forgettable. I'm kind of in the same ballpark. I like 2010, but I found the scare zones that year, to be a whole helluva lot more fun. I think most people remember Havoc: The Dogs of War, the most from HHN XX. I like Havoc, but not as much as most people. For me, the house I loved the most, was Catacombs. It was eerie, creepy, and had a very claustrophobic feel to it. I love the design of the catacombs themselves. They were striking, and the Plague Doctor's were very creepy. This one got under my skin. In my opinion, one of the best Sprung Tent houses, ever. Catacombs was incredibly effective in its design and execution. 

---

---

15. URBAN LEGENDS: LA LLORONA- HHN XXIII

• Location: Sprung Tent 1

Another house heavily reliant on atmosphere. A great example of Universal Orlando making over a house that Hollywood had done, and totally owning it. This house was creepy. Very creepy. And disturbing in some aspects too. I love the facade to this house as well. It is perhaps my favorite from a Sprung Tent. The voice over out front, really set-up the house nicely. The story in here was quite good. It was dark, and just the context of what was happening alone, was enough. Great example of what can happen with a Sprung Tent house, when done well. I wouldn't mind a return from La Llorona in the future.

---

---

14. SCREAM HOUSE- HHN XII

• Location: Sound Stage 20

The Caretaker, is one of HHN's best Icons. He rivals fan-favorite Jack, and even my personal favorite, The Director. His inaugural house, was awesomely done. Very creepy, dark, and disturbing. It's a good thing that this house delivered, after the incredible advertising push they gave The Caretaker in 2002. Despite this house being so long ago, I still remember most of it quite vividly. The overgrown foliage of the rundown mortuary, are still very prominent in my mind. I also seem to remember an "earthy" smell throughout the house. I recall being kind of blown away by the amount of detail in this house. The Caretaker's followers, were quite scary as well. An overall great house, for a great Icon. Fantastic finale room too.

---

---

13. SCARY TALES: ONCE UPON A NIGHTMARE- HHN XVIII

• Location: The Parade Building
  

Once Upon a Nightmare, is a great example of a house done right in the Parade Building. That big, metal structure, has had some issues with houses in the past. The previous Scary Tales houses, were also great. However, Once Upon a Nightmare took the previous incarnations, and super sized it. Bigger sets, better scares, and great characters to use. I loved the Evil Queen at the end. Lots of memorable scenes in here too. The Wizard of Oz comes to mind, as well as Little Red Riding Hood. Oh, and how can I forget the witch's gingerbread house? I love this franchise, and I can't wait for HHN to bring it back again.

---

---

12. THE CABIN IN THE WOODS- HHN XXIII

• Location: Sound Stage 21A

An amazing example of what A&D can do with an IP property. Fantastic sets, great scares, gore, sounds, music, and the Scare Actor's, all made this house work. For a concept so bonkers, the creative minds that be made this house coherent, and easy to follow. Another example as well, of an IP that could have been an idea cooked up in the halls at A&D. It was familiar to the people who saw the film, but if you had not, the house felt fresh. As a fan of the film, I was quite satisfied. The elevator room is one of my favorite scenes, ever in an HHN house. I felt like I had just walked onto the set of The Cabin in the Woods. A fantastic house. 

---

---

11. PSYCHOSCAREAPY- HHN XIII

• Location: Jurassic Park Discovery Center

I remember waiting forever for this house. The line was insane. I also remember the Scare Actor walking around the line, while guests waited. It was a good, funny time-waster. Inside, the house was also insane. Lots of fog, lots of crazy people, and lots of crazy smells. To put it simply, Psychoscareapy was insanity, but in a good way. Coming into contact with the patients in this house, was what made it memorable. Have I mentioned insanity? Oh, and we can't forget to mention the smell. Yes, there was a bathroom scene inside Psychoscareapy. And the walls were smeared with, well, poop. Yes, poop. And it smelled as such. I haven't actually smelled the smell quite as pungent, as it was in here. I'm not sure if that is because it was scaled back in later years, or nothing else came close to the first Psychoscareapy. An instant classic. 

---

---

There you have it. Part 1 of our list. Our Top 10 is waiting in the wings, and will be revealed later this week. 

Hasta La Bye-bye for now. 

---